Round Two AFL Picks

Thursday night footy and I am expecting two offensive sides in Richmond and Collingwood to engage in a shoot out.

The Tigers seem to have decided that this season they will play all our attack and move the ball as quick as possible. No more chipping the ball around as they have in seasons past. Last week they scored 132, albeit against poor opposition.

Collingwood scored 86 points last week against the reigning premiers and probably should have scored more with better accuracy. The Tigers new approach will offer the Pies plenty of chances if they can apply pressure and force turnovers. Take over 186.5 - 187.5.

OTP Recommendation

Friday night football is a repeat of last years epic Grand Final. The Dogs come into the contest off a good win against the Pies in what was a solid hit out for them. The Swans normally so strong at home were second best all day and went down to Port Adelaide by 28pts.

The Swans have already run into injury trouble - last week they were missing McVeigh, Rohan, Heeney,Papley and Allir. None of them will be back and to make matters worse they have lost probably their best defender in Dean Rampe. Throw in the fact they don't have Tom Mitchell getting 30+ disposals any more and that the Swans are debuting three players this week means they are starting to look very light on for quality and bigger bodies.

It's a massive ask for Sydney to be taking on the reigning premiers on their home deck at Etihad with so many unfamiliar faces and the pressure will be nothing like these new kids have experienced before. Take the Dogs 25+ margin.

OTP Recommendation

Western Bulldogs 25+4 at 2.30-4

Melbourne v Carlton

The Demons have finally got themselves a serious football team. After many years languishing down the foot of the ladder the Dees have built a list that is high on quality and big on depth. They dismantled the Etihad specialists St Kilda last week. Worth noting that Melbourne had only won one game in its last 26 at Etihad before last week. This Melbourne side will be exciting to watch with a midfield that bats very deep in Jones - Viney - Lewis - Tyson - Oliver - Brayshaw and Petracca. Gun forward Jesse Hogan must be licking his lips.

Their opponents this week Carlton seem intent on developing the attacking side of their game this year after Bolton taught them a defensive mode in 2016. They were much more attacking last week scoring 89pts. Unfortunately their opponents Richmond managed 132. Looks to me like the Blues will be playing as many kids as they can this year. They have lots of potential on their list but many of them haven't even played 20 AFL games.

I can see Melbourne being to strong all over the field here and full of confidence.